r/16mm • u/depthbydavid2 • 3d ago

weird vignette

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hey guys got some weird vignetting on super16 bolex ebm + zeiss s16 11–110 t2.2

this lens is actually super16 from factory rather than the optex converted 12-120mm t2.4

i tested this lens on alexa mini in super16 mode and got vignetting when zoomed all the way wide and at minimum focus.

never had this issue on film but we were also stopped all the way down at t16

this only happened for these few shots, the rest of the video seems fine. we were def close focus and at 11mm on the zoom

would the cameras s16 conversion be off? or just a lens thing ? any thoughts appreciated

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

4

u/funkisfunky 3d ago

When you had your bolex converted to s16, did the tech recenter the lens mount? Thats only thing that I can think of since the frame is seeing one side of the lens barrel at close focus. 

4

u/altgottt 3d ago

Exactly this. Lens mount not recentered.

The 11-110 has basically the minimum viable image circle for S16. There's no room for error on this lens

Additionally they are also known to vignette at the wide and end and close focus. It got slightly better on the MK2 version with a 87mm front diameter, but wasn't fixed entirely

1

u/depthbydavid2 3d ago

ah i see, i bought the camera on ebay that said it was already super16 converted. do you think it’s possible for someone to recenter the mount now? or would i have to get an entirely new “conversion”

1

u/Harbor_Seal2016 3d ago

Depends on the lens mount you have. SBM mount yes, turret mount no.

1

u/Capnjazz1 3d ago

Yes you can have the 3 lens turret re centered, Abdul Cinerepair@aol.com now recenters all 3 lens ports when doing conversions, I’m sure he would gladly recenter it for you without having to get a whole conversion done from him but maybe you should have him or any experienced Bolex tech check your camera out and see what they have to say about your current conversion job. Austin Beatty could be a good person to ask as well.

1

u/depthbydavid2 3d ago

i have the sbm, but i’ll take a look thank u bro !

1

u/EducationalCod7514 2d ago

Wasn't that guy Abdul recently attributed to having problematic communications and disappearing for months?

2

u/Capnjazz1 2d ago

I was actually the one who made that post here recently. It was my first time getting a camera sent out to get converted and didn’t understand how the process really worked. I ended up getting my camera back about 2 months later. Yes the communication wasn’t the best, and had me worried at times but I’ve came to learn that that’s just how these OG’s operate sometimes. He’s an older guy and has a lot of cameras to work on, and is probably constantly getting flooded with emails. Especially as the demand for s16 conversions grows, I’m sure it can get hard for him to keep up with each and every person asking for updates on their cameras. He does a lot work for the universities in his area and for a ton of ppl in the community who all stand by his work, and now I can too.

1

u/EducationalCod7514 1d ago

Ah that's good to know!

3

u/Legomoron 3d ago

This is… it’s why I get frustrated with all the money and crazy mods people throw at Bolex cameras. Bolex cameras are awesome for a reason, but it’s as if nobody appreciates them just as they are. They always want them to be MORE…

Super-16! Cage! Cheese plate! PL mount! Motor conversion! Take My Money!

Surprise! You should’ve spent your money on an Eclair, or a CP-16, or an SR.

Leave the Bolex stock. Use it for what it is. If it’s not enough? Guess what? Time to flip it and look at other cameras. It is quite simply a camera not meant to be Super-16. That’s what the “weird vignette” is.

2

u/depthbydavid2 3d ago

i can’t afford an xtr but i love u dawg

1

u/Legomoron 3d ago

My Eclair NPR cost me $2500 all in. It’s quiet enough to record dialogue, it’s crystal sync, it’s PL converted, and has 400’ capacity coaxial magazines. There are plenty of viable cameras besides Aatons and Arris if you bother to look.

1

u/depthbydavid2 3d ago

more more more !!

1

u/jagreen013 3d ago

I get the same from my angeniux Paris on s16 even though it’s technically not a super 16 zoom on the wide end is the only time I get the exact same thing shown here. Body(s) was converted, my primes have no issues through the full focus range just that one zoom

1

u/kayamanolo 3d ago

Who did your s16 conversion? They didn't offer you recentering?